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Vans carrying humanitarian aids line as much as enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing, heading for inspection by Israeli authorities earlier than coming into the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.
Mohammed Arafat/AP
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Mohammed Arafat/AP
CAIRO — Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened on Monday for restricted site visitors, a key step because the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire strikes forward, in accordance with Egyptian and Israeli safety officers.
An Egyptian official mentioned 50 Palestinians would cross in every path within the first day of the crossing’s operation. The official, concerned in talks associated the implementation of the ceasefire deal, spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity to debate the problem.
State-run Egyptian media and an Israeli safety official additionally confirmed the reopening, which for now at the very least, is basically symbolic. Few individuals might be allowed to journey in both path, and no items might be allowed to enter.
About 20,000 Palestinian youngsters and adults needing medical care hope to depart devastated Gaza by way of the crossing, in accordance with Gaza well being officers. Hundreds of different Palestinians outdoors the territory hope to enter and return house.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has additionally mentioned that Israel will permit 50 sufferers a day to depart. An official concerned within the discussions, talking on situation of anonymity to debate the diplomatic talks, mentioned every affected person could be allowed to journey with two family members, whereas some 50 individuals who left Gaza throughout the conflict could be allowed to return every day.
The Egyptian well being ministry mentioned in a press release on Monday that 150 hospitals throughout the nation have been ready to obtain Palestinian sufferers and wounded who might be evacuated from Gaza by way of the Rafah crossing.
Israel has mentioned it and Egypt will vet individuals for exit and entry by way of the crossing, which might be supervised by European Union border patrol brokers with a small Palestinian presence. The numbers of vacationers are anticipated to extend over time, if the system is profitable.
Ambulances line as much as enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing on the way in which to the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.
Mohammed Arafat/AP
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Mohammed Arafat/AP
Israeli troops seized the Rafah crossing in Could 2024, calling it a part of efforts to fight arms-smuggling for the militant Hamas group. The crossing was briefly opened for the evacuation of medical sufferers throughout a ceasefire in early 2025. Israel had resisted reopening the Rafah crossing, however the restoration of the stays of the final hostage in Gaza final week cleared the way in which to maneuver ahead.
The reopening is a key step as final yr’s U.S.-brokered ceasefire settlement that took impact on Oct. 10 strikes into its second section.
Earlier than the conflict, Rafah was the principle crossing for individuals transferring out and in of Gaza. The territory’s handful of different crossings are all shared with Israel. Beneath the ceasefire phrases, Israel’s army controls the world between the Rafah crossing and the zone the place most Palestinians reside.
Fearing that Israel may use the crossing to push Palestinians out of the enclave, Egypt has repeatedly mentioned it have to be open for them to enter and exit Gaza. Traditionally, Israel and Egypt have vetted Palestinians making use of to cross.
The present ceasefire halted greater than two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas that started with the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The truce’s first section known as for the trade of all hostages held in Gaza for tons of of Palestinians held by Israel, a rise in badly wanted humanitarian assist and a partial pullback of Israeli troops.
The second section of the ceasefire deal is extra difficult. It requires putting in the brand new Palestinian committee to manipulate Gaza, deploying a global safety power, disarming Hamas and taking steps to start rebuilding.
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